My journey begins on mis Doce. 2008 Honda CBR125R

[csspostal]

He friend who is skinny unlike us doesn't understand the slowing issues on hills as he doesn't have that problem (50lbs lighter I wonder why)

Heh, heh. Read somewhere removing 7 lbs from payload is the equivalent of adding 1 horsepower. CBR125R makes 13 horsepower peak, so taking a little weight away is probably gonna make a big difference proportionally. (Not that I have any room to talk.....)

That is a neat stat. I'm working on it. (well ok last weekend at the cottage for a boys weekend and this past one with all the play off games maybe not so much )

But it is Monday back to the grindstone.

Is it possible for a bike to have negative horse power

[Wrider]

Haha noooo it isn't. Otherwise can you imagine the customer's TTR125 that I had to test ride? It's gotta have about the same amount of hp, and I outweigh you I'm sure.

[csspostal]

Boy was it nice and sunny today. 15C at 10:20 am got out rode until just before 2pm. Caught a group of riders while I was going up the lakeshore. Well some sport bikes guys eventually got tired of me slowing on hills and passed I eventually caught them at some railroad tracks and then we caught some cruisers. They turned into the Port of Newcastle. I followed in thought I might have a chat walked over to the sports guys apologized for slowing down. They engaged but didn't seem to chatty. So I went back to my bike and the guy in the cage parked next to me mentioned nice bike is it a 600. I chuckled said no just a little 125. Had a nice conversation. I then took a couple of pictures on my cell.





I then watched a couple boats get launched then got back on the bike and road into Newcastle to the Timmy's for a coffee. Ran into the gentleman that has a Red CBR 125 and was invited to sit with him and his friend to chat a bit. I seem to run into him on every trip to Newcastle I take. Should have taken a picture of the bike at Tim's for that picture challenge thread that I can't remember where it is listed under. I remember one being a lake (Lake Ontario in the pics above) and one was your local grocery store.

I took this one far end of the parking lot. Sign hard to read but its called the Independent. They keep the Hot Dog, Sausage guy far end near the garden centre. Guess they think it'll make you come in buy some nasty sandwiches for 5.99 when you can get some good street meat and a drink for less than 5 bucks.



Lots of bicyclists out as well. Curiously most were women. Not that I care mind you just that usually when I see a bunch of bicyclists riding on the lakeshore it is usually a pretty even mix but not today for whatever reason. I also seen a higher number of women riders driving then I normally do on my rides. The only ones that waved today were the ones on the back seat . No big deal really lots of waves or head nods some do some don't its just the way she goes just the way she goes.

[csspostal]

I have ridden every day this past week and according to my manual (1000 km) and have now broken in my little CBR 125. Will have to schedule an appoint for later next week to take it in have the break in service done and get her checked out then another 5000km until the next oil change which I'd like to try and do myself. I have been going a pretty similar pattern over the past week expanding the ride 10 to 20 k every other day. Another week of this then I thinkn I'd like to try some night time driving along the same route I have been practicing.

I kind of like the group riding. (well tag along anyway) when I just happen to catch up to a group it seems fun and I think I'd really like to go on a charity ride of some sort meet some people. Seen a few foxes and the Lilacs are out in bloom and smell great with the ride along the lakeshore. On the upside a new Pita place has opened in Port Hope and they have Coca Cola in glass bottles. I don't know what makes it taste better in a glass bottle but it sure does over those plastic ones we have grown a custom too.

Haven't ran into the guy that also has a CBR 125 for a little over a week now. Which is a bit weird as for the previous three weeks or so seems every time I took Mis Doce out I'd run into him somewhere along my Journey. On the way home tonight was a bug fest. I don't know what I hit but there was this yellow looking thing airflowed over my cosmetic windscreen and by the time I thought WT... splat. If I didn't have a visor on I think the angle would have clipped me right in the eye and made it explode. I really do. After catching up with some old friends of my dads ( and being a little late for supper) my wife let me live. She must love me or really need a ride somewhere tomorrow

[csspostal]

A closer look and for an FYI the curse filter doesn't work on attachment names

[csspostal]

Dropped off a paper for my Uncle at his work today. Did circles looking for the place thinking where the "procreating" hell is that number at. Then I remembered there is a east and west version of the street I was on so drove all the way down to the other end and sure enough it was on the west end of the street and I was on the east end. Dropped it off then headed up to Bowmanville to the dealership to book my break in service for Friday 9:30 am told them they were mean for making it early.

Then I went and had a coffee then stopped by my Grandpas and had a chat. He'll follow me over to the dealership and pick me up so I'm not hanging around starring at bikes I want and can't afford. I'm sure he'll have some jobs linded up around his place that'll need a hand with and that'll keep me busy until after lunch and my bike should be done by then.

Wife called me said Grandma needed a ride to the grocery store to get something to eat. Which translates into ordering out and driving her over to bingo. Wife kids and I get a free meal out of the deal so its not too bad just had to cut the ride a litte short today.

However I did stop at the new Pita place in Port Hope that's on the corner of Walton and Toronton rode so I can get a nice ice Cold Coca Cola in a glass bottle. Yummy Yummy Yummy. It tastes so so so much better in a glass bottle for some reason.

[csspostal]

My little lady was taken to the shop this morning for her break in service. Stopped off at my Grandpas on the way he followed me over and picked up me up at the dealership.
He then went and got gas as it was cheap he thought at 95.9 / litre. We then hit the grocery store and bought some buns and corn on the cob for lunch. Along with some other stuff he needed for home. We headed back to his place and about half way home realized he forgot to get milk.

We were about to clean the gutters but a friend of his stopped by for a chat so we sat and have a couple of drinks (soda) while him and his friend chatted. After his friend left we cleaned all his gutters out put the ladders away and went in for lunch. Had a ham and cheese sandwich some cucumbers and a couple cobs of corn for lunch. Called the wife let her know I booked another test ride on the Phantom as well as the Shadow RS for tomorrow.

I am scheduled for the test ride of the Shadow RS for 11 am then I have a ride scheduled at 1 pm for the Phantom. That'll give me some time to explain how its not really cheating on Mis Doce because its a different CC range while I have lunch.

Back on track my Grandpa took the compost out to the heap while he was doing that I got a phone call saying my ride was ready to go. So my Grandpa drove me over and dropped me off then headed home to take his afternoon nap.

I then had a nice little ride home back down the lakeshore trying to keep my mind thinking about the RS and the Phantom The little Pita place in Port Hope was out of glass coke bottles so I passed on my usual drink on the way home and waited and had a water when I got back home. Wife was tearing through the kids rooms like a Hurricane for old clothes and toys to get rid off.

Well the service guys must have liked me because they gave me a price and schedule for the rest of my maintence on the bike.

1000km Break in Service which one was done today.

Valve Clearence
Engine Oil
Brake System
Clutch System
Nuts Bolts Fasteners
Steering Head Bearings

Parts 16.36
Labour 199.50
Tax 26.00
Grant Total 232.45

4000km service

Throttle Operation
Air Cleaner
Spark Plugs
Valve Clearence
Engine Oil
Battery
Brake Fluid
Brake Pads
Brake System
Brake Light Switch
Headlight Aim
Clutch System
Side Stand
Suspension
Wheels Tires

Estimated parts 8.39
Labour 332.50
Subtotal 340.88

8000km service 414.88 plus tax
12000km service 417.88 plus tax
16000km service 340.88 plus tax
20000km service 414.88 plus tax
24000km service 417.88 plus tax.

At least the lube gives me time to save up I should have went back to school for a Motorcycle mechanic instead of web design

I was going to list all the service work done with each scheduled service but I got bored after just two

[csspostal]

Got up quickly downed a coffee. My kids ate all my cereal (Capt N Crunch). Which all three were quite proud of sitting with devilish grins they have inherited from their mother So I grabbed a couple pieces of severly deformed bread. Which I was later informed was a speedbump for my sons tricycle obstacle course he created in the living room kitchen circuit. Snagged a cheese slice popped it in between the bread and then popped it in the microwave for a couple of seconds to melt it a little bit. Then ate it and got ready to go.

So I got the bike out went to the bank drive thru to take some money out then put a whopping 4.26 cents to fill up the tank and then headed on my way to Clarington Honda in Bowmanville. By the time I got to the dealership you would have thunk that I ploughed through a plague of locusts with all the bug "fudge" on my sheild. Which made the nice cleaning job I did before all I left all but useless.

I got to the dealership and apparently I didn't need to stop at the bank to get some money out to buy lunch as they had a BBQ and drinks there all for free. I went to the sign in table and was informed they demo truck didn't have a Phantom on it and more bad news during the chaos some had been double booked. My 11 am ride for the RS was one of them. Told them no worries just book me for the 1pm ride that was supposed to be my Phantom run told them it'd give me more time to eat free hot dogs

Which actually were quite good and reminded me of those ones from the picture of the riding game of next to a street meat vendor. The casing was crispy almost with a snap when you bite into them and oh so juicy once you pierced the casing. Yummers. Sat on a few bikes and broswed the apparell while I was awaiting my turn.

A few of the riders came back early for some reason. so that got me a bit nervous they were kicking people back to the dealership off the ride.

My turn came I got on. Sitting on the bike felt quite natural. Although I felt a little dopey as I put my hand up when I turned the key on because the oil light was on. (mine doesn't have an oil light so I thought something might be wrong. One of the dealership guys came over and said just start it up. I said you sure he said yep so I started it of course the bloody light goes out. He taps me on the shoulder no worries mate that light comes on just to let you know its working. Shuts off when its running otherwise how you going to know if its going to function when you're riding.

Took me a couple heel to toe rolls and I got the friction zone down pretty good. It just didn't seem right the way I was sitting. and my God those pegs on that RS seemed to me the size of those Redwoods I seen on the Internet that you can drive through them. Were freaking huge I tell you huge. Well compared to my 125 they were anyway. A few blocks and I got used to the size and got pretty smooth adpated a lot quicker then I though I would.

The ride we went on was a pretty big square essentially. We turned left (west) out of the dealership along baseline some of us got stuck at the sign to turn left due to traffic the group leader had pulled over the group to the side until every one caught up then went on our way. Until we hit the intersection were were turning right (north) onto Holt road. The cars at the 4 way stop were kind enough to let the whole group go through. We then crossed a set of train tracks. I must say it felt a lot smoother then going over the set on my 125. We then crossed Hwy 2 and continued north on until we turned right (east) on Taunton rd (i believe) then proceeded to the next major intersection turned right (south) which I believe was 57 I think he said we came out next to the Arena in Bowmanville if that helps anyone who knows the area. Anyway We got split up again due to a pesky red light so the leader pulled over once again until we all caught up. Just in front of Durham Regions finest offices. We then crossed Hwy 2 which a group of us 4 in total including the rider from honda covering our six got caught at a set of red lights. He gave the thumbs up to the lead rider (we were only a block away from the dealership) to keep going. We then proceeded through the light 2 stop lights later then a right (west) then a left (south) and a right (west) then a left (south) towards the dealership. Now that last left I take I usually come in a little hot on my CBR and normally and half way through just lean and I hit that corner real nice and smooth. Well that doesn't work out so well on the Shadow I pulled in the clutch part way and applied a little bit of break and the beast decided ok new guy I'll corner for you and went on our way into the dealership and parked it without incedent.

The RS was free again for another ride but I was getting a bit of a headache from being out in the sun all day and a little dehydrated I think so I decided to head on home instead of going on another ride which I would have really liked too.

So I came home to meet the wife and was informed I better not have brought a new bike home with me just yet. No dear put your poison away I didn't like it. Now I can't lie to save my life and she knows it called me on it right away. Ok dear but you really wanted to. Oh yeah I sure did. There was a used Shadow 750 a sales guy was showing me but I really like the look of the Phantom for some reason I seem to reach the forward controls fine I'm sure it'd just take a couple runs to get used too.

The RS and Phantom are pretty simialr in styling the Phantom Shaft drive and forward controls and gauge on the fuel tank. The RS more a standard foot controls and Speedo the loan gauge hooked to the bars and a chain drive.

Blues was right I want I want I want.

On my 124 by the time Im in 4th gear I'd be just over 60km I could do 80 km in second gear quite easily on the RS Might have been second not sure either way by the time my little Mis Doce has maxed out her little gear box the RS is barely just getting started a quick twist of the rist in most gears I could feel my but beeing pushed into the seat. When I hit an incline where I need to slow I can just twist the wrist and maintain my driving speed up a hill. Little 125 not so much

Now with some more seat time I can see mee and Mis Doce getting a divorce and me and my new girl an RS or Phantom getting along just fine.

[High_Side]

I have ridden every day this past week and according to my manual (1000 km) and have now broken in my little CBR 125.

Now that she is broke in, you should be ready for this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7IqfW5x ... r_embedded
Filmed in your neck of the woods as well. It looks like great fun on a mini CBR.

[csspostal]

Sure would be a cheap and fun way to get in to racing to be sure.